Family pets boost child development

Mar 7, 2017

Medical X-Press – Staff Writer

“Growing up with a pet can bring social, emotional and educational benefit to children and adolescents, according to a new University of Liverpool study. Youngsters with pets tend to have greater self-esteem, less loneliness, and enhanced social skills. This research adds strength to claims that household pets can help support healthy child development. “Anyone that has grown up with, and loved a family pet intrinsically feels the value of their companionship,” says project lead Dr Carri Westgarth, from the University’s Institute of Infection and Global Health.”(more)